Pastor Matt talked about how the command to love your neighbor reflects the deep compassion of God for people, especially those who need help getting back on their feet.
MY STORY
Describe a time when you received deeply-needed help from an unexpected source.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And [Jesus] said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:36-39)
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" … [Parable of the Good Samaritan] … Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise. (Luke 10:29, 36-37).
Why does Jesus connect loving God with loving others? Can you have one without the other? Explain.
How would you answer the man's question: Who is my neighbor?
What does it mean to show someone compassion and mercy? What does the opposite look like?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
What are some meaningful ways that people (who are close to you) show that they love you?
What does it mean to love someone in ways that are meaningful to him or her? How would doing this communicate the deep love in God's heart for that person?
What are the top three things that a person legitimately needs to get back on his or her feet (especially after a catastrophic loss)?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Identify someone in your circle of influence who needs help getting back on his or her feet (either financially, emotionally, mentally, or even spiritually).
Ask that person what helpful thing you could do that would be meaningful to him or her … and then go do that thing.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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